For schools and educators

For Schools and Educators

Some students look after someone at home.

Do you know a student who looks after a family member with disability, a mental health condition, a chronic or terminal illness, an alcohol or drug related problem, or who is frail due to age? They are a Young Carer, and free support is available to them through Carers SA

Young Carers in South Australia are aged 5 to 25. Most do not use the word Carer about themselves. They are more likely to say they are helping out at home, and many will not mention it at all.

Recognising a Young Carer 

What you may see in the classroom

Teachers and wellbeing staff are often the first people outside the family to notice. What you may see: 

• Lateness, absence, or leaving early without a clear reason 

• Homework not completed, or a drop in results that does not fit the student 

• Tiredness, difficulty concentrating, or falling asleep in class 

• Anxiety about a family member during the school day, or frequent calls home 

• Withdrawal from friends, sport or activities they used to do 

• Reluctance to talk about home, or defensiveness when asked 

• A parent who is hard to reach, or who does not attend school meetings 

Any one of these has many possible explanations and are worth a conversation. 

What Carers SA provides 

Support built around what a Young Carer actually needs.

As the Carer Gateway provider in South Australia, Carers SA offers Young Carers the full range of Carer Gateway services. Alongside these, the Government of South Australia funds more intensive support for Young Carers, and Young Carer Breaks.

Referring a student

Refer at any time, and call us if you are unsure

You can refer a Young Carer at any time. We will contact the family, work out what would help, and put a plan in place with them. 

Make a Referral

Eligibility at a glance  What happens after a referral

What schools can do 

Seven adjustments that make a difference

Small adjustments make a substantial difference to a Young Carer’s schooling. Schools that support Young Carers well tend to: 

1 – Nominate one staff member as the contact point, so the student explains themselves once 

2 – Allow a phone call home at a set time, in a private space, rather than treating it as a rule breach 

3 – Give flexibility on deadlines and homework where caring has got in the way 

4 – Ask about caring responsibilities at enrolment and at wellbeing check-ins 

5 – Record caring status so it does not have to be re-explained each year or at each transition 

6 – Consider caring responsibilities before applying attendance or lateness penalties 

7 – Include Young Carers in conversations about their own arrangements